Something about Venetian ghetto
The first ghetto in Italy was established in Venice on March 29, 1516. The Republic of Venice ordered the Jewish residents to move to an area where an old, disused foundry once stood. This area was called the "ghetto," a term derived from “geto de rame” (copper casting), referring to the practice of dumping copper waste in that deserted spot.
In the centuries leading up to the ghetto's creation, Jews primarily lived in towns on the Venetian mainland, with only a few families residing permanently in Venice. Mainland Jews, excluded from guilds and barred from owning property, were forced to earn a living through pawn lending or trading used goods. They were allowed to stay in Venice for no more than fifteen consecutive days, during which they conducted business at the Rialto market before returning to Mestre. Some Jews were also permitted to practice medicine.
However, after Venice's defeat at the Battle of Agnadello (1509), during a time of social and economic difficulty, the Venetian government allowed Jews to settle in the historic center in exchange for an annual contribution of 6,500 ducats. Many Jewish families moved into homes near Rialto, causing significant protests, particularly from certain preaching friars. In 1515, the Venetian Senate proposed allowing Jews to remain in the city due to their economic contributions but decided to isolate them in specific areas.
Thus, in 1516, the Venetian government decreed the segregation of Jews into a special district, creating the first ghetto in history. Jews were required to wear a yellow cap, except for certain doctors and bankers. The ghetto was surrounded by high walls, with gates that were locked every evening and reopened at dawn. Guards, paid by the Jewish community, patrolled the area day and night, including the surrounding canals.
